* 





Genus Pothocites, Pater son. 301 



In reality the segments conduct to a central depression. 

 The appearance caused when these minute bodies are viewed 

 with lateral illumination has probably led to this error in the 

 figure. From Dr. Paterson's description it is evident that he 

 recognized the true structure of these little stellate bodies ; for 

 he states, " The central depression to which the flowering 

 part of the plant has been attached is also distinctly to be 



seen." 



The appearance of a central column, as represented in his 

 enlarged figure of the little stars, has probably been inadver- 

 tently indicated by the drawer of the specimen ; but it has 

 unfortunately been frequently copied without any explanation. 



The internodal portions of the fruit bear about twelve of 

 these stellate bodies on each longitudinal elevation. 



I have given enlarged figures of two of these little stars, 

 one composed of four, the other of five rays (PI. IX. 

 figs. 3 and 4). 



I cannot distinguish any point to which the supposed 

 u flowering part of the plant " could have been attached. 



What appears as a border to the little stars is the upturned 

 edges of the segments, which appear in section as represented 

 at PL IX. fig. 5. 



| The lowest segment of the fruit is almost an inch long by 



. five sixteenths broad, the second about seven eighths of an 



inch long and slightly narrower than the previous segment ; 

 and the third, which is imperfect, is slightly narrower than 

 ! the second. 



The stem to which the spike is attached is finely striated 



longitudinally. 



The small projection from the side of the stem, about three- 

 quarters of an inch below its junction with the fruit, is pro- 

 bably the remains of a branch which bore a similar spike {as 

 will be shown in the description of the specimen from Baraton 

 Pavement-stone Quarry), and does not represent the " re- 

 mains of a deciduous leaf or spathe," as originally supposed. 



The upper left-hand angle of the broken internodal portion 

 is the most perfectly preserved ; and it is his part which I have 

 chosen for my enlarged drawing (PL IX. fig. 2). 



The little " stars " are only shown on those parts of the 

 specimen which have suffered least from pressure. 



The specimen is deposited in the museum of the Royal 

 Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh ; and my thanks are due to the 

 late Mr. Sadler, the curator, for permission to examine and 

 refigure this interesting fossil. 



hoc. From the Calciferous Sandstone series, shore, 

 Granton. 



